Army has the 11th ranked (219 ypg) rushing offense in the FBS while Air Force has the 53rd ranked (130 ypg) rushing defense. The Black Knights top rushing threat is freshman quarterback Trent Steelman who picking up 56 yards per game. Slotback Patrick Mealy adds another 54 yards and fullback Kingsley Ehie contributes about 46 yards per game. Linebacker John Falgout leads the Falcons in tackles with 66. Fellow linebacker Justin Moore adds another 53.

Army passing offense vs. Air Force passing defense

This is a battle of the top ranked passing defense (Air Force) against the last place passing defense in the FBS (Army). Army is only gaining about 60 yards a game by passing while Air Force limits their opponents to only about 136 yards per game. Damion Hunter is Steelman's top target, he's got 20 catches for 129 yards this season. However, Ali Villanueva is tops in touchdown catches for the Cadets with four. Air Force, led by defensive backs Reggie Rembert, Anthony Wright and Jon Davis, have 11 interceptions on the season. The Falcon defenders have 23 sacks of opposing quarterbacks this season.

EVEN

Air Force rushing offense vs. Army rushing defense

EVEN

Air Force boasts the nation's number four rushing offense that gains over 275 yards a game. Army has the No. 37th rushing defense and allows about 116 yards a game. Fullback Jared Tew leads the Falcons in rushing gaining 61 yards per game and has scored six touchdowns this season. Tailback Asher Clark is the Falcons second leading rusher, picking up 51 yards per contest. Starting quarterback Tim Jefferson is gaining about 26 yards per game. Army's rushing defense is led by linebacker's Stephen Anderson and Andrew Rodriguez.

Air Force passing offense vs. Army passing defense

This match-up features the No. 18 pass defense (Army) against the No. 119 passing offense (Air Force). Falcons quarterback Tim Jefferson has completed 31-of-56 passes for 430 yards, four touchdowns and only one interception. Kevin Fogler and Jonathan Warzeka are his top targets and have 27 combined catches. Army safety Donovan Travis has four interceptions this season. Defensive end Josh McNary has and impressive 10.5 sacks for the Cadets.

Special Teams

Army's Alex Carlton is 13-of-17 from field goal range this season for the Black Knights. He as a long field goal of 51 yards. Air Force's Eric Soderberg has made 19-of-24 field goals with a long kick of 50 yards. Black Knight punter Jonathan Bulls averages 39 yards per punt. The Falcons counter with Brandon Geyer who has 39 punts this season for a 42-yard average. The Falcons rank in the top 50 in net punting, punt returns and kickoff returns while Army ranks 69th in net punting, 95th in punt returns and 96th in kickoff returns.

EVEN

Coaching

EVEN

This game pits two innovative head coaches in Rich Ellerson and Troy Calhoun of Air Force. Ellerson is 3-5 in his first season at Army (63-46 overall). He previously built Cal Poly into a power house at the FCS level. Calhoun is 22-13 in his third year at Air Force Academy.

Intangibles

It's an Air Force home advantage and there will likely be over 40,000 people rooting for the Falcons. The Falcons also have the advantage of being used to the high altitude of the Rocky Mountains. Army has had an extra week to prepare for the Falcons.